Adolescence

⭐10/10

In a spring that includes White Lotus, Severance, Andor and Last of Us... is this one gonna take the crown? A Netflix show?? 

This one came out of nowhere for me. A Northern English production with a cast and crew I only kinda recognized, about... stuff nobody was really clear on? A kid suspected of murder? I also heard some noise about these looking like one long take, a method I've always found a bit gimmicky... 

All that aside, I think this show is a masterpiece in the truest sense. Creatively, technically, the writing, the acting. It really is done in one take (I read about it) and I just can't believe what all goes into this, relying on children to not screw up an hour long take. The coordination to pull this off is mind-blowing and good for them for taking this risk. 

Each episode is not really what you'd think it's about. Every episode begins and automatically you start connecting the dots to similar things you've seen, and every time the show surprises you. They take it in unexpected directions but each time it pays off and you're glad they did. This isn't a whodunnit, this isn't Silent if the Lambs, and it's not even Promising Young Woman, which I've seen it compared to. It is an examination of an infinitly complex event and how it effects everyone around them.

Before I get into spoilers, I'll also mention that the attitudes and dialogue feel SO authentic in a way that I don't think I've seen before, or at least feels comparable to movies like Eighth Grade. This is how teenagers talk! This is how teachers react! Man I loved it, so refreshing. And shout out to all these kids, especially Jamie with a child performance for the ages. A bright future ahead for that guy. Alright, now some spoilers: you've been warned. 

I really love that this show shifts from if he did it. We have seen that show before, and while that's always fun, we haven't seen a show like Adolescence before. We aren't wondering about if he did it, we are wondering why, or what it's like to be a parent of a child that murdered someone. We get to see what it's like to be a cop that's investigating children, and how far we should go to protect their rights versus bringing them to justice. Also the hyper-accurate depiction of a police station was cool to see, something that takes us behind the curtain in a way that American copoganda doesn't. 

I think episode 3 was the standout with outstanding performances from both parties. I also loved that they addressed the issue of Red pill culture in a way that didn't seem like a mocking parody, but addressed the root: insecurity and the wish to be desired. Jamie was so, so impressive here, with a nuanced, sympathetic performance that helps you understand the mind of a monster. I think lesser shows would really emphasize his hatred for the psychologist, but that's not quite right here; he likes her, and they have friendly chats! And yet there exists the fundamental disrespect which seems to be at the heart of how he could kill that girl. 

And then the finale, which I've heard some people be unhappy with, as if it didn't resolve the show in the way people wanted. I think that complaint fundamentally misunderstands what this show is, and that is facing the reality of seemingly normal people doing heinously evil things, and then trying to reckon with it. The story doesn't end when the bad guy goes to jail, it starts there. How do you move on as a parent, as a family? They didn't commit any crime, and it's doubtful whether they contributed to letting it happen, and yet their lives are fundamentally changed. This show doesn't offer any answers and doesn't tie any bows. Bad things happen and there are consequences, it's just a matter of finding out what comes next. 

I dunno, that's a lot of writing about a 4 episode TV show, but I thought it was completely genius and the best thing I've seen all year, and I've been thinking about it nonstop. Lucky to be alive at a time with all this great art.